Tornadoes in Wisconsin, August 25, 2001

A weak tornado spun up in north-central Kenosha County, about 3.5 miles northeast of Paris. It pushed over an old shed, a TV antenna, and uprooted several trees on a property located on the south side of County Hwy KR. Based on damage, wind speeds were probably in the 70 to 78 knot range (80 to 90 mh). This tornado exited Kenosha County about 3.7 miles northeast of Paris, or .8 miles east of the intersection of KR and D, and entered Racine County about 2.8 miles east-southeast of Union Grove. It proceeded northeast toward the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 11, and eventually dissipated 1.8 miles northwest of Sturtevant. Synoptically, a 500 mb circulation center moved northeast through southeast Wisconsin at the time of the tornado. Scattered thunderstorms associated with the low moved northeast at about 30 mph. Maximum air temperatures during the afternoon were in the lower 80s with surface dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s.

Thia weak tornado spun up in north-central Kenosha County, about 3.5 miles northeast of Paris. It exited Kenosha County about 3.7 miles northeast of Paris, or .8 miles east of the intersection of KR and D, and entered Racine County about 2.8 miles east-southeast of Union Grove. It proceeded northeast toward the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 11, and eventually dissipated 1.8 miles northwest of Sturtevant. Luckily, the tornado circulation wasn't at ground level the entire time, and traveled part of the time over some swamp land, otherwise there would have been more damage. In Racine County, the tornado intensified to the top of the F1 rating (winds about 87 to 96 knots, or 100 to 110 mph), and demolished a hay shed, damaged a pole barn (horse trailer inside was pushed through a closed door), flattened some fence, uprooted or snapped many trees, damaged a road sign, damaged a Sheriff Department speed trailer at the I-94/Hwy 11 intersection, and flattened some corn crop. A couple of power line poles were also damaged. Eyewitness reports indicated that the tornado briefly consisted of multiple vortices, and sounded like a jet engine. Average path length was about 25 yards. Synoptically, a 500 mb circulation center moved northeast through southeast Wisconsin at the time of the tornado. Scattered thunderstorms associated with the low moved northeast at about 30 mph. Maximum air temperatures during the afternoon were in the lower 80s with surface dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s.